Georgian PM: we believe in Europe of nations with strong identity

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday reaffirmed that the Georgian people were a European nation, emphasising that the country’s history, culture, and identity are deeply rooted in European values.

In his remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest, Kobakhidze noted that the European bureaucracy must recognise a country’s right to sovereignty and democracy.

“Today, the West is at a crossroads. Not just the political West, but the civilisational West - the West of Christian and democratic values. We are gathered here to defend our identity, and our God-given right to be who we are. We are not in the position to be in conflict with the West, since we are part of the West - the real West. The West of freedom, faith and family values; not that of the Deep State who wants to turn the world into nothing and feel entitled to rule over everything”, the PM said.

Kobakhidze continued by highlighting that the “true, value-based West” is still alive - in countries like Hungary and in the hearts of millions across Europe and beyond - among those who reject the notion that patriotism is a crime.

“Being pro-European should not mean being anti-Georgian. We believe in a Europe of nations with strong identity, and we proudly stand with those - in Hungary and beyond - who still hold that patriotism is a virtue, not a vice”, he concluded.